Recently, the JPS Health Network Trauma team recognized team members of MedStar, Fort Worth Police Department, Fort Worth Fire Department, the JPS ED, OR, SICU, and P5 teams at a Great Save ceremony. The event highlighted the direct care that impacted the survival of a patient who sustained a gunshot wound and celebrated the accomplishments of the inter-professional team members who provided care to the patient from the scene to the hospital.
During the ceremony, each individual involved in the patient case, whether on the scene or during the patient's hospitalization, was given a challenge coin for the exceptional care provided.
"The challenge coin is an American military tradition meant to instill pride, improve esprit de corps, and reward hard work and excellence," said Cassie Lyell, DNP, RN, TCRN, Executive Director for Trauma, Acute Care Surgery, and Forensics. "In healthcare, challenge coins are often awarded to first responders, emergency medical service workers, nurses, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team who go above and beyond each in the pursuit of saving lives."
To highlight the significance of the care everyone provides each day, Rajesh Gandhi, MD, PhD, FACS, FCCM, Trauma Medical Director, coined the term "Team One" to signify how many individuals are involved in the great save of one patent.
"Handing out the challenge coins to individual people showed just how many people it takes and how large the team is for one save," said Dr. Gandhi. "Trauma touches everyone that works here, from EMS, nurses, techs, Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, EVS, Linen Services, the OR team, ICU team, Supply Chain, Pharmacy, our Executive team, Communications team, Board of Managers, and more. We are all part of Team One."
"JPS Trauma would like to thank all first responders and EMS partners for their partnership and for allowing us to be a part of the care of injured patients,” Lyell said. We stand in awe of your bravery and selflessness as you serve our communities from the frontline."
The JPS Trauma department was proud of the efforts each individual contributed to the care of this patient. The event required perfect timing from everyone involved, and would not have been possible without the rapport established over the years between JPS, our first responders, and EMS partners.
"It is a privilege to provide trauma care for our community, and having the trust of our first responder and EMS partners is truly invaluable," Lyell said. "Without excellent first responders and EMS services, we at JPS would not have the opportunity to provide definitive care for our injured patients. Trust has been built through years and years of working alongside each other, learning together, celebrating great saves, and supporting each other through tough losses."
In Trauma, a term called the "golden hour" is used, which suggests trauma patients must receive definitive care within the first 60 minutes of the injury. After the time is up, the risk of death or long-term complications increases. So, knowing that the time the Pre-Hospital care team arrived at the scene to their arrival at the hospital was just 35 minutes makes this great save that much more significant.
"We all know there is nothing we can do for a patient with a gunshot wound. They needed a trauma surgeon, and they needed one 10 minutes ago, but we also had to stabilize that patient before we started moving. The biggest thing is doing what you can," James Ward, EMS paramedic, said. "You cannot waste time. You only get one shot."
Our first responders and EMS partners risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of each individual in our community, and their commitment and dedication do not go unnoticed.
"JPS Trauma would like to thank all first responders and EMS partners for their partnership and for allowing us to be a part of the care of injured patients,” Lyell said. "We stand in awe of your bravery and selflessness as you serve our communities from the frontline."